Beliefs of the Republican Party

The Republican and the Democrat parties are at the very
heart of American politics. For decades, presidents
have been either Republican or Democrat and both parties dominate Congress.
Therefore the beliefs and views of both parties have to impact the whole of American
politics.

The following is taken from the 1995 Republican Party’s
history of the party as presented by the Republican Party’s National
Committee.

Historically, the party has supported

The abolition of slaveryThe right of free speechSupport of women’s suffrageThe reduction of the power of Federal
governmentThe reduction of Federal
bureaucracyThe return of power to state governmentsThe support of the idea of the primacy of the
individualTo fight for the right of individuals in opposition
to large "bloated" governmentIn 1866, a Republican government passed the 1866
Civil Rights Act – a law which restricted the right of states (though
this was aimed at the Southern states in particular) to restrict the right
of Black Americans to testify in a court of law and to restrict the right
of Black Americans to own propertyThe Republicans proposed the 14th
Amendment which became part of the Constitution.

Jeanette Rankin - a Republican - became the first woman to
serve in the House of Representatives, for the state
of Montana. The Republicans claim that they were the first party to officially
push for women’s suffrage.

The Republicans claim to be the first party to favour
environmental issues when President Nixon pushed for a Clean Air Act which was
duly passed by Congress.

The Republicans claim to be the party of tax cuts. The
Ford Administration cut taxes significantly while under the Republican president
George W Bush, all registered tax payers received a cheque for $300 in tax
rebate in July 2001 as promised by Bush in the run-up to the 2000 election.

Ronald Reagan promised to make federal government smaller
– known as "New Federalism". Reagan believed that local governments
knew what their community wanted more than Washington and he pushed for a
development in the powers of local government.

Reagan’s first term as president saw a marked increase
in the number of women in powerful positions – Sandra Day O’Connor was
appointed the first female Supreme Court judge
in America while Jean Kirkpatrick was the first female US representative to the
United Nations.

In 1993, Hayley Barbour was elected as Chairman of the
Republican National Committee. He emphasised

The importance of individual freedomThe importance of personal responsibilityThe reduction in the powers of Federal government

Planned for a balanced budget reducing the deficit to
zero in 7 years without raising taxes

Improve Medicare

The approach of the Republicans is best summarised in its
oath:

"I believe that the proper function of government is
to do for the people those things that have to be done but cannot be done, or
cannot be done as well by individuals, and that the most effective government is
government closest to the people.

I believe that good government is based on the individual
and that each person’s ability, dignity, freedom and responsibility must be
honoured and recognised.

I believe that free enterprise and encouragement of
individual initiative and incentive have given this nation an economic system
second to none.

I believe that sound money policy should be our goal.

I believe in equal rights and equal opportunity for all,
regardless of race, creed, age, sex or national origin. I believe that persons
with disabilities should be afforded equal rights, equal justice and equal
opportunities as well.

I believe we must retain those principles worth retaining,
yet always be receptive to new ideas with an outlook broad enough to accommodate
thoughtful change and varying points of view.

I believe that Americans value and should preserve their
feeling of national strength and pride, and at the same time share with people
everywhere a desire for peace and freedom and the extension of human rights
throughout the world.

Finally, I believe that the Republican Party is the best
vehicle for translating these ideals into positive and successful principles of
government."